DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER (2025)

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe. JN 20:29

ACTS 5:12-16

My Soul's Beloved,

Peter is now recognized and acknowledged as the foremost of the Apostles. There is no sign of the cowardly man he once was, but one who is filled with the fire and zeal of the Holy Spirit. He preaches and teaches boldly, unafraid of the enemies of Truth who plotted successfully and killed You. The number of believers grows steadily as Peter's teaching and preaching are accompanied by miracles of healing, but those who wield authority, power, and influence want no part of the marvelous salvific work of God that will sweep the nations even to the ends of the earth.

Lord God, when it comes to counting the cost of living the Gospel publicly, may I not consider anything of greater value than being a witness to the Truth, should it cost me everything, even my life.

The faithful all used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. So many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past. People even came crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured.

PSALM 117(118):2-4,22-27

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

Let the sons of Israel say:
‘His love has no end.’
Let the sons of Aaron say:
‘His love has no end.’
Let those who fear the Lord say:
‘His love has no end.’

The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad.

O Lord, grant us salvation;
O Lord, grant success.
Blessed in the name of the Lord
is he who comes.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord God is our light.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

APOCALYPSE 1:9-13,17-19

My Soul's Beloved,

You came into the world clothed in humanity like us in every way but without sin. You walked among us and lived in close communion with Your disciples, yet now, after Your resurrection into heaven, this same Body that You willingly gave over to Your murderers according to Your Father's will is eternal and glorified. As both God and Man, You have glory, honor, and power. You are magnificent, and no mortal can gaze on You in Your present glory and majesty and live. 

John receives several visions, and he shares them with us so we may know, believe, and understand that we cannot live lacklustre, meaningless, unholy lives. We are called to more. We are called to be like You. If we desire to live with You, then we must die with You. If we are to be raised to new life with You, then we must be willing to lay down our lives for Your sake and for the sake of the Gospel.

The Christian life is one of paradox. To lose is to gain. To die is to live. To serve is to reign. Help Me, Lord, to abide in Your Eternal Word now and always.

....it was the Lord’s day and the Spirit possessed me, and I heard a voice behind me, shouting like a trumpet, ‘Write down all that you see in a book.’ I turned round to see who had spoken to me, and when I turned I saw seven golden lamp-stands and, surrounded by them, a figure like a Son of man, dressed in a long robe tied at the waist with a golden girdle.
When I saw him, I fell in a dead faint at his feet, but he touched me with his right hand and said, ‘Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and the Last; I am the Living One, I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld. Now write down all that you see of present happenings and things that are still to come.’


JOHN 20:19-31